Office of the Press Secretary
(Aboard Air Force One)
________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release August 8, 2000

PRESIDENT CLINTON NAMES MARTHA CHOE AS CHAIR OF THE ADVISORY COMMISSION

ON ASIAN AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS

The President today announced his intent to appoint Martha Choe as
Chair of the Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific
Islanders.

Ms. Martha Choe, of Seattle, Washington, is the Director of the
Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development of the State of
Washington. Prior to her appointment, she served as a member of the
Seattle City Council, having been elected in 1991 and, again, in 1995.
Previously, Ms. Choe was Vice President of the Bank of California in
commercial lending, credit administration, and private banking. She
serves as a trustee of Western Washington University and has been
recognized for her accomplishments by Newsweek magazine, the Seattle
Chinese Post, the Japanese American Citizens League, the Korean American
Professional Society, and the Korean American Alliance.

Ms. Choe received a B.A. degree from the University of Washington
and a M.B.A. degree from Seattle University.

The Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
was established by Executive Order 13125 to advise the President on the
development, monitoring, and coordination of Federal efforts to improve
the quality of life of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The
Commission will study ways to increase public sector, private sector,
and community involvement in improving the health and well-being of
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and to increase their
participation in Federal programs where they may be under-served. The
Commission will study ways to foster research and data collection on
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, including information on public
health.